School Nutrition

Meal and milk programs offered at public and private nonprofit schools and residential child care institutions.

Programs

California Universal Meals
Information about the background, policy, and resources regarding California’s Universal Meals Program.

School Breakfast Program
Information about applying for and administering the School Breakfast Program.

Meal Supplements (Snacks) Under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Information about applying for and administering after-school snacks under the National School Lunch Program.

Breakfasts and Snacks for Nonschoolaged Children
Includes overview, background, and program specific guidance on providing meals to nonschoolaged children.

National School Lunch Program
Information about applying for and administering the National School Lunch Program.

Seamless Summer Feeding Option (Seamless Option)

Information about the federal seamless option opportunity that allows public schools to combine features of the School Nutrition Programs and the Summer Food Service Program along with reduced paperwork requirements.

Special Milk Program
Information about applying for and administering the Special Milk Program in camps and schools that do not participate in the federal meal programs.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program
Information about applying for and administering the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program.

Program Support

Administrative Review
Includes information, regulations, procedures, and updates on the School Nutrition Programs administrative review.

Cafeteria Fund Guidance
Provides school food authorities (SFA) with information and instructions pertaining to federal and state statutes and regulations that govern school cafeteria funds

Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Agriculture Food & Nutrition Service policies and procedures about nondiscrimination in the administration of the child nutrition and food distribution programs.

Procurement in School Nutrition Programs
Regulations, requirements, and guidance governing all school food service procurements.

Forms
Forms and completed sample forms for use by School Nutrition Programs sponsors.

Guidance, Manuals, and Resources
The most recent guidance manuals, management bulletins, and other materials needed for proper administration of the school nutrition programs.

Mailing List
Sign up to receive School Nutrition Programs information via e-mail.

Contact Us

School Nutrition Programs Unit Directory
Directory of School Nutrition Program Specialists by county.

Questions: Nutrition Services Division | 800-952-5609

Last Reviewed: Friday, October 25, 2024

This institution is an equal opportunity provider.
Esta institución es un proveedor que ofrece igualdad de oportunidades.

Related Content

Procurement in School Nutrition Programs
Federal procurement regulations when contracting with food service management companies (FSMC), vendors, or competitively procuring food.
Provisions: Claiming Alternatives
School Nutrition Program Provisions 1, 2, 3, and the Community Eligibility Provision are alternative ways for local educational agencies to claim student meals.
School Nutrition Programs Administrative Review
Includes information, regulations, procedures, and updates on the School Nutrition Programs (SNP) administrative review (AR).
School Nutrition Programs Management Bulletins
School Nutrition Programs (SNP) management bulletins for sponsors of the National School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, Special Milk Program, and State Meal Program.
SNP Guidance, Manuals, and Resources
The most recent guidance manuals, management bulletins, and other materials needed for proper administration of the School Nutrition Programs (SNP).

Trending in Nutrition

Recently Posted in Nutrition

Fluid Milk Substitutes – Update to Required Forms (added 26-Jun-2025)
This communication clarifies recent updates to the CCR which have changed the requirements for SFAs offering fluid milk substitutes.
2025–26 School Nutrition Programs AR List (added 26-Jun-2025)
Provides a web link to the list of school food authorities scheduled for an SNP AR in SY 2025–26 and prereview training information.
2022 KIT Funds Final Report Due 6-30-25 Follow Up (added 24-Jun-2025)
2022 Kitchen Infrastructure and Training Funds Final Report Due 6-30-25 Follow Up.
SFBP Final Report Due 6-30-25 (added 24-Jun-2025)
School Food Best Practices (SFBP) Funds Final Report Due 6-30-25.
SUN Bucks Webinar Recording & Revised CALPADS (added 24-Jun-2025)
June 5, 2025 SUN Bucks Webinar Recording and Revised CALPADS Flash #297.

SNP AR 25-26 Workload (added 23-Jun-2025)
School Nutrition Program (SNP) sponsors who are scheduled for an Administrative Review in School Year 2025-26.
Culinary Training: Date Extended to July 3, 2025 (added 20-Jun-2025)
Space is available for Culinary Trainings! The Nutrition Services Division, in collaboration with the Institute of Child Nutrition, is hosting free, in-person, half-day, Mediterranean Menus of Flavor culinary arts trainings for school food service.
Webinar: Tuesdays @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall (added 20-Jun-2025)
School Nutrition Town Hall webinar for School Nutrition Program Operators and Food Service Directors.
Paid Lunch Equity Guidance for School Year 2025–26 (added 19-Jun-2025)
This communication provides information to School Food Authorities (SFA) on the updated guidance on Paid Lunch Equity for school year 2025-26.
March 25, 2025 Tuesday at 2 Town Hall Resources (added 19-Jun-2025)
The California Department of Education (CDE) Nutrition Services Division (NSD) hosted the monthly Tuesday @ 2 School Nutrition Town Hall webinar March 25, 2025.